Traditional Orange Cake

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 50 min
🍽 Serves: 12
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This Traditional Orange Cake is a burst of sunshine in every bite, perfect for brightening any occasion. With its vibrant citrus flavor and tender crumb, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Ingredients for Traditional Orange Cake

Butter provides a rich, creamy base for the cake and helps keep it moist. Make sure it's softened to blend well with the sugar.

Sugar sweetens the cake and helps achieve that light, fluffy texture when creamed with butter.

Eggs act as a binding agent and add richness. Adding them one at a time ensures they incorporate smoothly.

Orange juice and zest are the stars of the show, delivering the cake’s signature citrus punch.

Flour forms the structure of the cake. All-purpose flour is ideal for a balanced texture.

Baking powder and baking soda help the cake rise, creating a light, airy crumb.

Salt enhances the flavors, balancing the sweetness and citrus.

Milk adds moisture and helps to create a tender crumb.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice just can't compete.
  • Zest the oranges before juicing them; it’s much easier that way.
  • Room temperature ingredients, like eggs and butter, blend more easily and produce a better texture.
  • If you don't have a wire rack, carefully invert the cake onto a plate after cooling for 10 minutes in the pan.

Serving Suggestions

This cake pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a bit of extra indulgence, drizzle with a light orange glaze or serve with a side of fresh berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of flour?
All-purpose flour works best, but you can try cake flour for a lighter texture. Avoid self-rising flour as it already contains leavening agents.
How long will this cake stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, the cake will stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake a day in advance. Just keep it covered to maintain its moisture.

Traditional Orange Cake Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). It's always good to get the oven ready so it's at the right temperature when your batter is.

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps the eggs blend into the butter and sugar mixture smoothly.

Mix in the orange juice and zest. This is where the cake starts to take on its delicious citrus flavor.

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined each time. This helps prevent overmixing, which can make the cake dense.

Pour the batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Give the dish a gentle tap on the counter to release any air bubbles.

Bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This brief cooling period helps the cake set and makes it easier to handle.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy-to-follow steps that even beginners can master.
  • Uses fresh oranges for a natural, zesty flavor.
  • Bakes into a moist and fluffy cake that’s hard to resist.
  • A delightful treat for any season, especially spring and summer.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons orange zest
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in the orange juice and zest.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
7. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

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